Shoe-maker s sewing-needle



(No Model.)

v A. W. AUSTIN.

SHOE MAKERS SEWING NEEDLE No. 301,424. Patented July 1,1384.

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PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER WARD AUSTIL OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

SH OE-MAKERS SEWING-NEEDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent No. 301,424, dated July 1, 1884. Application filed March '20, 1884. (No model.)

Makers Sewing-Needle, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This. invention has relation to shoe-makers sewi'ngneedles especially designed for use in blind stabbing, where the workman is delayed in finding the awl-hole with the waxend from the inside of the boot or shoe; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a sewing-needle embodying the improvements of my invention. Fig. 2 is a viewin perspective of the needle detached from the handle, the eye being shown open, and the barbs on the shank illustrated. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the spring, and Fig. 4 is a detail view of the ring or collar that holds the upper end of the spring in its slot.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings'a designates the needle, provided a short distance above its point with a transverse notch, b, in one edge, and a vertical groove, 0, in the same edge, extending from near the point of the needle up to the barbed tapering shank d. The notch b is rounded off atb and If, so that no corners will be presented as the needleis pushed through the leather, the upper side of the notch being on a curve, as shown. This is especially desirable, as in the needles where a corner is left above the notch there is a stoppage of the needle at this point as it is pushed through the leather, and the latter is sometimes chipped off or torn by the corner on the notch. The groove 0 is of uniform depth, and does not pass through the body of the needle. A slightly-arched and very flexible and elastic spring, 0, having a tenon, f, with a rivet-hole, g, is fitted into the groove 0, and is secured therein by a rivet, h, so that its lower end normally closes the notch b and forms the eye of the needle. The upper end of the spring 6 is held in place'by the ring of the leather.

or collar 5, which latter serves as a head or shoulder on which to strike to drive the barbed shank dof the needle into the handle. The points of the barbs z" are so directed as to engage the handle and prevent the needle from being pulled out, a great deal of the work with the needle being performed by pulling it out The eye of the needle is opened and closed automatically. When the needle is pushed through the leather, the spring is compressed into its groove by the leather, and its lower end, which lies normally in the groove, is forced out and opens the eye and holds it open while the needle remains in the leather.. The thread can then be placed in the eye and held in position with one hand while the needle is pulled out with the other; As soon as the compression on the spring ceases, the eye automatically closes on the thread and holds it every time. After the needle has been pulled out of the leather, by raising the needle up, holding the point downward, the thread will bear against the lower end of the spring and open the eye far enough to permit the thread to escape without straining the needle.

This needle possesses simplicity, completeness, cheapness, and general efficienoy, and will .not be easily broken or gotten out of order. v

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination, with the needle a, having the transverse notch babove its point provided with the curved edges 1) and b", of the arched elastic spring riveted in a longitudinal groove in the notched edge of the needle, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the handle of the needle, of the needle provided with the collar at the base of its shank, andthe barbed shank, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' ALEXANDER-WARD AUSTIN.

Witnesses:

V A. DUKEMAN, R. S. TAYLOR. 

